Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has challenged ICT service providers to prioritise affordable retail broadband internet for the whole of Samoa.
Speaking at a reception to acknowledge the arrival of the Tui-Samoa Cable, Tuilaepa said broadband Internet is a basic right for all Samoans.
“I have stated previously the Samoan government will leave no Samoans and no village behind and so we must find ways to make affordable broadband internet services available for all our people.”
The Prime Minister noted that affordability is a barrier to rural Samoans who have access to broadband internet, but cannot afford to use it.
To that end, Tuilaepa reminded the ICT sector that Government has invested US$25 million in the Tui-Samoa cable.
“The Samoa Submarine will provide one of the lowest wholesale internet pricings in the region- the Samoa Government and Samoa Submarine has done their part,” continued the Prime Minister. Now, I challenge our licensed telecommunication service providers Bluesky, CSL, Digicel, Le Samoa.net, Netvo and any new ISP to deliver your end of the bargain and ensure all Samoans have access to affordable retail internet as a basic right.”
Photo MPMC Press Secretariat
